The Lives and Opinions of Eminent PhilosophersDiogenes Laertius
Philosophy
The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers
Diogenes Laertius
Philosophers, Ancient -- Biography; Philosophy, Ancient
LXI. Again, Plato divides the end of all affairs into four species. An
affair has one end in accordance with law, when a decree is passed, and
when the law establishes it; it has an end in accordance with nature,
when it is such a thing as a day, or a year, or the seasons. It has an
end according to art, when it is architecture for instance, for a man
builds a house; or when it is ship-building, for it makes a ship. And
affairs also come to an end by chance, when they turn out differently
from what any one expected. So that an end of an affair is regulated
either by law, or by nature, or by art, or by chance.
LXII. Power again is divided into four species. There is one power which
we possess by our ability to reason and form conceptions by means of our
intellect. There is another power which we owe to the body, such as the
power of walking, or giving, or taking, and such like. There is a third
which we possess through the multitude of soldiers or riches, on which
account a king is said to have great power. And the fourth division of
power consists in the being well or ill treated, and treating others well
or ill; as, for instance, we may be sick, or we may be taught, or we may
be in vigorous health, and many more cases of that sort. So that one kind
of power dwells in the intellect, another in the body, another in an army
and riches, and another in our capacity as agents or patients.
LXIII. Of philanthropy there are three sorts. One which is displayed
in addressing people, when some persons address every one whom they
meet, and give them their right hand, and greet them heartily; another
species is when one is disposed to assist every one who is unfortunate.
The last kind is that sort of philanthropy which makes men pleasant
boon companions. So that there is one kind of philanthropy displayed in
addressing people, another in benefiting them, and a third in feasting
and making merry with them.
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